BERSIH: Let’s All Strike for a Hijrah for a True Democracy!

1 Muharram 1429 (10 January 2008)The Coalition for Clean and Free Elections (BERSIH) wishes all Muslims a free and happy new year as today is the first day of Muharram, the month denoting the beginning of the Islamic Lunar Calendar of the year 1429. As we have made the resolution to advance democracy when we celebrate the Gregorian New Year, BERSIH calls upon all Malaysians to join force in celebrating the Hijrah New Year, to usher Malaysia to a higher plane in democracy and to enhance the freedom, rights and well-beings of all Malaysians.

WAMI: More Freedom To Ensure Greater Harmony in 2008

WAMI’s 2008 New Year Message

More Freedom To Ensure Greater Harmony in 2008

 

Writers Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI) wishes all Malaysians a great year in 2008, with greater freedom to usher in a more representative polity, a more vibrant economy and a more harmony society.

 

Malaysians’ lives have unfortunately deteriorated in various aspects in 2007, making the Government’s grandiose celebration of 50 years of Independence superficial and hollow. Politically, the heads of the Judiciary, the Police and Anti-Corruption Agency were all tainted by allegations of corruption, adding on to the list of unaccountable ministers and misbehaved legislators. Socially, ethno-religious relations have fallen to its low when families and marriages are torn apart by religious zeal and judiciary passivism. Economically, the nation’s productivity and competitiveness continue to be curbed by red-tapes, corruption, discrimination and protectionism while ordinary citizens of all ethnic backgrounds pays higher fees to rent-seeking private operators of public goods like highways.

 

In 2008, Malaysians must put a halt to our national decline. We must reclaim our freedom to choose and decide in our political, economic and social life. The problems that haunt Malaysia now are all linked to one single cause: a government that is unaccountable, inefficient and incompetent but wants to control almost everything in the country.

BERSIH: More Democracy and Happiness in the New Year

BERSIH’s 2008 New Year Message:

Looking Forward to More Democracy and Happiness in the New Year

 

The Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (BERSIH) wishes all Malaysians a very happy, prosperous, peaceful, safe, and clean new year in 2008.

 

Happiness, prosperity, peace, safety and cleanliness however requires a democratic system in which the will and desire of Malaysians can prevail. We invite all Malaysians to resolve to push for clean and fair elections so that we may achieve greater happiness and prosperity.

A Catholic Priest’s New Year Message

Feeling the need to be spiritual, I walked into a Catholic church this morning. It’s a sweet surprise to listen to the sermon of the priest who also happened to be a holiday-maker.

He led the congregation praying to the loving Allah for, amongst others, that the government-controlled and owned media will give fair coverage to the opposition parties especially when elections approach; that the Prime Minister who has broken quite a few promises will at least keep one, that to set up the IPCMC; that the immoral ISA be abolished.

We Wish You (a belated Yellow Dong Zhi), a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Due to access problem, this post could not be posted on the last Yellow Saturday.

Here’re Tang Yuans, the traditional Chinese delicacy prepared for celebrating Winter Solstice (Dong Zhi). Tang Yuan symbolizes family reunion.

I like Dong Zhi because when winter reaches its height, and the daylight is at its shortest (for the northern hemisphere), the spring cannot be far away.

My Dong Zhi wish was that all ISA detainees including Hindraf 5 and Muslim activists who have been accused of terrorism, as well as other prisoners of conscience in the world be charged immediately in an open court of law or released unconditionally to reunite with their families.

It is also one of my wishes for the Christmas as well as for the New Year.

Oh Come … All Ye faithful …

We wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.